keep working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keep working' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express encouragement or to remind someone to continue working towards a goal. For example, you could say, "I know you're feeling overwhelmed, but keep working - you can do it!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Keep working.

Independent

I just keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

So you keep working.

The New York Times - Sports

That's why I keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

We have to keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

I have to keep working.

The New York Times - Sports

So I just keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

But then you keep working.

The New Yorker

I'm going to keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

You just keep working.

The New York Times - Sports

Just keep working".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone, follow "keep working" with a specific goal to provide a clearer direction and motivation, like "keep working towards your deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "keep working" as a generic encouragement without providing any specific feedback or direction. Generic advice can be demotivating. Instead, offer specific suggestions or acknowledge progress to make the advice more effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep working" is that of an imperative phrase used to encourage or instruct someone to continue their current activity. Ludwig AI examples show its wide applicability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep working" is a versatile and widely used imperative expression that serves to encourage continued effort and persistence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "continue to work". Its frequency and presence across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and wikis, underscore its common usage. While the phrase is generally well-received, it is most effective when paired with specific goals or feedback to enhance motivation. Ultimately, "keep working" remains a succinct and powerful way to promote dedication and perseverance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to work

Emphasizes the continuation of the work process.

keep at it

An informal way to encourage someone to continue their efforts.

carry on working

Implies a steady and uninterrupted continuation of work.

persist in working

Highlights the perseverance required to keep going.

sustain your efforts

Directly advises maintaining consistent hard work.

stay the course

Suggests remaining committed to the task at hand.

persevere with work

Underscores the need to overcome obstacles while working.

stick to your task

Implies dedication and adherence to the assigned work.

maintain effort

Focuses on sustaining the level of effort being applied.

remain diligent

Focuses on maintaining a careful and persistent approach.

FAQs

How can I use "keep working" in a sentence?

You can use "keep working" to encourage someone to continue their efforts, like "The project is challenging, but "keep working" and you'll succeed".

What are some alternatives to "keep working"?

Alternatives include "continue to work", "persist in working", or "carry on working", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "keep working" in formal communication?

Yes, "keep working" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider alternatives like "continue to work" for a slightly more professional tone.

How does "keep working" differ from "start working"?

"Keep working" implies a continuation of an existing effort, whereas "start working" refers to initiating a new task or project. They are opposites in terms of action commencement.